Method of torque control and apparatus thereof

ABSTRACT

A method of torque control and a torque control apparatus for a pneumatic torque tool are provided. The method includes: connecting a torque control apparatus between an air supply system and a pneumatic torque tool; under predetermined working and control conditions, driving the pneumatic torque tool at the first and second working air pressures to calibrate output torque, and to obtain maximum and minimum torque values; constructing correspondence curve between air pressure and torque value based on the first and second working air pressures and the maximum and minimum torque values obtained; entering any target torque value ranging from minimum torque value to maximum torque value of the correspondence curve to obtain a corresponding working air pressure value and drive the pneumatic torque tool; and verifying whether all working and control conditions are controlled within a predetermined range of variation to control the output torque.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method of controlling torque and an apparatus using the same, and more particularly, a method of controlling torque and an apparatus using the same, which control the output torque under the predetermined working and control conditions, according to a correspondence between the air pressure and the torque constructed in advance.

2. Description of the Related Art

For all the torque tools driven by compressed air, such as pneumatic impact wrenches, pneumatic oil pulse wrenches, pneumatic torque multipliers, pneumatic screwdrivers with clutch, and so on, their test results or operating performance tend to be affected by an unstable working air pressure during the process of testing or operating them. Conventional pneumatic torque tools usually have their torque controlled by the pressure or airflow of the compressed air driving those tools. Since the compressed air driving the pneumatic torque tools is affected by the factors such as the capability of the on-site compressed air system to supply gas, the torque driving structure of the tools, and the air consumptions of the tools, it is hard to control the magnitudes of their output torques.

The output torque of the conventional impact torque tool is usually controlled by adjusting the air supply pressure and the airflow thereof, or by adjusting the pressure, the airflow and the duration of fastening operation. However, since the working air pressure during the fastening operation is not stable, the airflow to the tool is directly affected, which in turn causes the deviation of the output torque to be extremely large. Even if the tool is disposed with a torque measuring device, the frequency and amplitude of the vibration that arises from the impact will pose difficulty for the analysis of signals, and hence it will be difficult to control the torque output effectively.

The output torque of conventional oil pulse torque tools is normally controlled by adjusting their working air pressure and the oil pressure in the hydraulic cylinder. Despite having a better torque control precision compared to the former, numerous factors, such as the unstable air pressure during the fastening process directly affecting the airflow to the tool, or the structural feature of the hydraulic cylinder and the rising temperature of the hydraulic fluid inside the cylinder during continuous operation, tend to limit the range of adjustment and the control precision of the torque.

The static torque tool achieves torque amplification through the pneumatic motor coupled with structures such as the planetary gearing and reaction arm. The precision thereof is higher albeit the time it takes to fasten is longer, and the slow speed results in low efficiency, not to mention the tool is heavier, which tends to cause fatigue in the operator.

A torque tool with clutch is a tool that achieves torque control via a pneumatic motor working in conjunction with the planetary reduction gearing, in addition to the tension of a spring pushing against the clutch; while it has an acceptable control precision, nevertheless, when the operation of the tool is halted, the reaction force generated increases as the torque output of the tool increases, thereby making it difficult to handle the tool for a prolonged period of time, or even causing issues such as fatigue or occupational injury such as elbow arthritis to the operation personnel. As a consequence, the industry has been working on combining the advantages of those tools mentioned above with various torque measuring and control devices to improve the precision of output torque control.

There are numerous means and methods to control the torque of a torque tool, usually their torque is controlled through the use of torque measuring device utilizing pressure (air pressure or oil pressure), flow rate (air consumption of the tool), the deformation and angle of the torque output shaft, or the electromagnetic induction coil, or through the use of torque control device incorporating the spring tension and clutch, or even the duration of fastening. Their results, however, are quite limited.

In conclusion, the majority of torque tools control the torque by means of deformation signals detected by the deformation sensor (e.g. strain gauge or solenoid electromagnetic induction coil), which is installed at suitable positions such as the output shaft of those tools, or by calculating the angular displacement (e.g. using a gyroscope) after the surfaces of the bolt and the fastened object come into contact, in conjunction with the calculation of the fastening duration, or the flow rate or the pressure of air entering the driving motor of the tools. However, since the pulse signals generated by the impacts of the impact or oil pulse torque tools are erratic and the fastening duration thereof is too short, it is hard to control the torque of such tools. In addition, when the detected signals, which are generated by those electronic detection apparatus installed in the tools, is to be transmitted to the built-in or external control apparatus of the tool, so as to shut off the air supply in real-time, the accuracy of the torque control is bound to be affected because of the hysteresis of the signal transmission when the signals are being relayed between electronic and the mechanical components, such as between the microprocessor and the solenoid valve; moreover, the conditions of the fastener and the object to be fastened, e.g. the material, surface smoothness, hardness or surface lubrication, or even the way the operator holding the tool while fastening, will directly or indirectly affect the accuracy of the torque control.

To this end, the inventor of the present invention has spent countless years researching in torque control products, and has managed to obtain the patents as follows: “Anti-vibration torque sensing and control device for tools” (US Publication No. U.S. Pat. No. 7,779,704), “Apparatus capable of controlling, tracking and measuring tightening torque and locking force, and method for controlling, tracking, measuring and calibrating thereof” (China Publication No. ZL 201210011877.1), “Torque control apparatus of dynamic locking tool and its control procedure” (Taiwan Publication No. 1396609), and “Torque control device for an impact type pneumatic torsion spanner” (Taiwan Publication No. 1432293); the inventor subsequently delves further into the operating characteristics of the impact or oil pulse torque tool, and with the confirmation from various empirical data, the inventor develops a method of controlling torque and an apparatus using the same, in order to solve the most challenging problem, i.e. the control and measurement of the torque of pneumatic impact or pulse torque wrench, which has been troubling the industry for years, thereby remedying the shortcomings in the state of the art and promoting the practicality of the tool in the industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the objective of the present invention, a method of controlling the torque output of the pneumatic torque tool is provided, which aims to solve the problem regarding the failure to control the output torque effectively, which occur in various pneumatic torque tools, especially pneumatic impact or pulse torque tools; the method includes the following steps: connecting an air pressure system to a torque control apparatus with an air hose, so as to supply a stable working air pressure to the pneumatic torque tool according to the characteristics of the tool and a fastener to be fastened and according to predetermined operating conditions; performing calibration of output torque before a fastening operation, by separately driving the pneumatic torque tool with the first working air pressure and the second working air pressure that allow the pneumatic torque tool to operate properly; constructing a correspondence curve between air pressure and torque values, based on the maximum torque value and the minimum torque value individually obtained from the calibration, as well as the corresponding first and second working air pressures; and entering a target torque value that is between the maximum torque value and the minimum torque value, in order to obtain a corresponding working air pressure from the correspondence curve between air pressure and torque values, wherein the corresponding working air pressure is applied to drive the pneumatic torque tool to perform the fastening operation.

Preferably, the method may include the following steps: before the fastening operation, using a torque measuring device, measuring the respective output torque of the tool under the first and second working air pressures that allow the tool to operate properly, and transmitting the output torque to the torque control apparatus; obtaining the air pressure variation during the calibration with an air pressure sensor of the torque control apparatus, and storing the air pressure variation and the measured torque in a memory device of the torque control apparatus.

Preferably, the method may include the following steps: obtaining the torque value of the fastener after the fastening operation using a torque calibration tool, and entering the torque value to the torque control apparatus; in the meantime, obtaining the pressure variation during the fastening operation using the air pressure sensor of the torque control apparatus, and storing the pressure variation along with the torque value obtained during calibration in the memory device of the torque control apparatus.

Preferably, the method may include the following steps: repeating the calibration of output torque for a plurality of times, to obtain a plurality of sets of the maximum torque values, the minimum torque values, the first working air pressures, and the second working air pressures; and summing the maximum torque values, the minimum torque values, the first working air pressures, and the second working air pressures from the plurality of sets, to calculate their respective average values; constructing the correspondence curve between the air pressure and torque values based on the average of the first and second working air pressures and their respective maximum and minimum torque values.

Preferably, the method may include the following steps: after entering a corrected torque value, the correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque values, to which the original target torque value depends, is adjusted such that it is shifted upwards or downwards, depending on whether the corrected torque value is larger or smaller than the original target torque value; then, according to the corrected correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque values, the target torque value is reentered to obtained a new working air pressure, and the working air pressure is used to drive the pneumatic torque tool for the fastening operation; after fastening, the tightening torque is measured again to verify whether the torque is within the expected control range.

Preferably, the method may include the following steps: monitoring the air pressure variation throughout the fastening operation; when the air pressure drop exceeds a permissible range of variation, cutting the air supply to the pneumatic torque tool or signaling a warning through a warning device.

In accordance with another objective of the present invention, a torque control apparatus is further provided, which is mainly connected between an air pressure system and a pneumatic torque tool. The torque control apparatus may include an air pressure monitoring device, a pressure adjusting device, a solenoid valve, a third air pressure sensor, a memory device, a display device, an input and output (I/O) device, a warning device, a power supply device, and a microprocessor. The air pressure monitoring device may control the air pressure from the air pressure system to the torque control apparatus or signal a warning when the air pressure entering the torque control apparatus from the air pressure system exceeds an upper limit. The pressure adjusting device may adjust the air pressure being supplied to the pneumatic torque tool. The solenoid valve may turn on or shut off the air supply to the pneumatic torque tool. The third air pressure sensor may be disposed between the solenoid valve and the pneumatic torque tool, and throughout the fastening operation, the third air pressure sensor may monitor the pressure variation of the air being supplied to the pneumatic torque tool. The memory device may store the air pressure and the torque values obtained from the calibration, which is performed under a stable air pressure; wherein the air pressure may include the first working air pressure and the second working air pressure; the torque values may include the maximum torque value corresponding to the first working air pressure, as well as the minimum torque value corresponding to the second working air pressure. According to the first working air pressure and the second working air pressure and the corresponding maximum torque value and the minimum torque values, the microprocessor may construct a correspondence curve between air pressure and torque values; in addition, when an operator enters a target torque value between the maximum torque value and the minimum torque value, according to the correspondence curve, the microprocessor may obtain the working air pressure corresponding to the target torque value, and may drive the pneumatic torque tool to perform the fastening operation with controllable torque. The I/O device is configured to transmit the torque settings, deformation measurements, target torque value and various relevant control signals in the system. The display device is configured to display the air pressure and the torque value, the target torque value and the corresponding working air pressure, the fastening operation count and whether the fastening operation is OK or NOK, etc. The warning device may signal a warning according to the calculation or determination results of the microprocessor, either by light or sound. The power supply device may electrically connect each control devices in the torque control apparatus.

When the pressure adjusting device is an automatic pressure adjusting device, it may further include a proportional pressure valve, a second air pressure sensor, and a pressure control valve; the second air pressure sensor may be disposed between proportional pressure valve and the pressure control valve; when the operator enters any target torque value between the maximum and the minimum torque values, using the correspondence curve between the air pressure and the output torque value, which is constructed according to the first and second working air pressures and the maximum and minimum torque values each obtained from the calibration and stored in the microprocessor, and in accordance with the air pressure detected by the second air pressure sensor, the microprocessor may instruct the proportional pressure valve to automatically adjust the pressure of the air from the pressure control valve to the solenoid valve to the level of the corresponding working air pressure; and thus the automatic pressure adjustment is achieved. When the pressure adjusting device is a manual pressure adjusting valve, the pressure drop throughout the operation of the tool may be detected through the third air pressure sensor, which is disposed between the solenoid valve and the pneumatic torque tool; the display device may display the working air pressure corresponding to the target torque value, and using the manual pressure adjusting valve, the pressure may be adjusted to the level of the corresponding working air pressure.

Throughout the operation of the torque tool, the microprocessor may promptly notify the operator through a display device or a warning device, based on the pressure variation feedback from the air pressure sensor, and whether the air pressure is within the permissible range upon the completion of the fastening process. In this way, the tool is able to perform the fastening operation under stable working air pressure, and the output torque thereof can be controlled accurately.

The microprocessor may automatically adjust the original correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque values based on the corrected torque value, which is to be keyed in by the operator after the calibration; then the target torque value may be reentered, and according to the corrected correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque value, a new working air pressure may be obtained, and that working air pressure is used to drive the pneumatic torque tool to perform the fastening operation.

Taking advantage of the characteristics of the impact or oil pulse torque tool, which is “under a predetermined operating conditions, e.g. same airflow rate and same fastening duration, and under a stable working air pressure that is to be monitored throughout the operation, the same tool will produce the same stable torque”, the method of controlling torque and the torque control apparatus of the present invention perform calibration using torque measuring device before the fastening operation, and a “correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque values for the tool under known operating conditions that are predetermined” is constructed. Furthermore, after the fastening operation, verify again whether the tightening torque is within the predetermined range; the aforementioned torque correction may be performed whenever necessary, such that a fastening operation with a more accurate tightening torque may be achieved; therefore, the torque tool no longer require the precision of its torque control apparatus or various sensors to control its output torque; instead, with the method of controlling torque and the torque control apparatus of the present invention, the fastening operation of the impact or pulse torque wrench can be controlled in a more economic, reliable, and effective manner compared to any control technique known in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating the steps according to the method of controlling torque of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is the experimental results showing the detected strain signal under different air pressure according to the method of controlling torque of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is the diagram showing the correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque values according to the method of controlling torque of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram according to an embodiment of the torque control apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram on the operation of an embodiment of the torque control apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the adjustment of the correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque values according to an embodiment of the torque control apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is another block diagram according to an embodiment of the torque control apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects such as the technical features, advantages or content of the present disclosure will be set forth in detail in the form of preferred embodiments hereinafter, and the description will be made along with reference to the attached drawings, which are solely illustrative and serve to provide better understanding of the present disclosure only, the scale and/or proportion of any portion of the drawing do not represent the actual configuration of the disclosure, hence the scale, proportion or shape in the drawings should not be misconstrued as limiting the scope of the disclosure.

Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a flowchart illustrating the steps according to the method of controlling torque of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, method of controlling torque of the present invention may include the following steps: (S11) connecting an air pressure system to a torque control apparatus with an air hose, so as to supply a stable working air pressure to the pneumatic torque tool according to the characteristics of the tool and a fastener to be fastened and according to predetermined operating conditions; (S12) performing calibration of output torque before the fastening operation, by separately driving the pneumatic torque tool with the highest working air pressure and the lowest working air pressure, which allow the pneumatic torque tool to operate properly under the condition of steady air supply during fastening process; (S13) constructing a correspondence curve between air pressure and torque values, based on the maximum torque value and the minimum torque value individually obtained from the calibration, as well as the corresponding highest and lowest working air pressures; (S14) entering a target torque value ranging from the maximum torque value to the minimum torque value, in order to obtain a corresponding working air pressure value from the correspondence curve between air pressure and torque values, wherein the corresponding working air pressure is applied to drive the pneumatic torque tool to perform the fastening operation.

That is to say, at first, the airflow rate (for impact wrench) or the oil pressure of the hydraulic chamber (for oil pulse wrench) of the pneumatic torque tool may be preset according to the characteristics of the pneumatic torque tool and the fastener, and various working and control conditions, e.g. the permissible range of pressure drop for each pressure sensor, the permissible range of working air pressure variation throughout the fastening process, the tolerance of the torque to determine whether the target torque value is OK or NOK, the range of pressure variation to determine whether the tool is running with load or without load, and the time taken to complete the fastening operation, may be set in the torque control apparatus. Thereafter, the pneumatic torque tool may be driven separately with the highest working air pressures and the lowest working air pressures, which are within the range of pressure that allows the tool to operate properly, to fasten the fastener directly, and then the torque measuring device may be used to measure the corresponding torque value; in addition to that, the pressure variation throughout the fastening operation is simultaneously transmitted to the torque control apparatus and stored therein; alternatively, the pneumatic torque tool may be driven, and a torque meter may be used to perform the calibration of the torque output of the tool before the fastening operation, so as to obtain the corresponding maximum torque value and minimum torque value. After the fastening, the torque obtained from the verification using torque calibration tool, such as digital torque wrench, may be entered to the torque control apparatus, such that the original correspondence curve between air pressure and torque value may be corrected, and the correction may stored. The microprocessor of the torque control apparatus may construct the correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque values, in accordance with the highest working air pressure and the lowest working air pressure, as well as the maximum torque value and the minimum torque value that correspond to the highest working air pressure and the lowest working air pressure, respectively. Subsequently, a target torque value, which ranges between the maximum torque value and the minimum torque value, may be entered via the torque control apparatus. The microprocessor may compute the working air pressure that correspond to the target torque value using the correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque values, and the working air pressure may be adjusted accordingly, by the means of automatic or manual pressure regulator, so as to drive the pneumatic torque tool to perform the actual fastening operation. Wherein, the correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque value is shown in FIG. 3.

Hereinafter, the principle of the present invention will be further illustrated.

The rotational inertia, otherwise known as moment of inertia, is the resistance of an object against angular acceleration. Comparing the linear motion to rotation F=m*a=m*dv/dt  (Equation 1) (linear motion) T=I*α=I*dω/dt  (Equation 2) (rotation)

where T: Torque (N*m), I: rotational inertia or moment of inertia (Kg*m²)(rotating mechanism plus output shaft and the socket), V: velocity (m/s), α: angular acceleration (rad/s²), ω: angular velocity (rad/s); both Equations 1 & 2 are found to be similar after comparison. v=rω  (Equation 3) I=mr ²  (Equation 4) T=rF=r m*dv/dt==mr ² dω/dt=I*α

Equation 2 may be derived from Equations 3 and 4. In the case of impact pneumatic wrench, when the pneumatic motor drives the impact mechanism and the hammer for one (or half) revolution, the hammer stops after knocking the output shaft (the anvil); therefore angular velocity=0, and dw=ω−0=ω. Almost all of the rotational kinetic energy minus the heat generated during the impact may be converted to the kinetic energy delivered by each blow. The time taken for impact mechanism to knock the output shaft (anvil) dt is inversely proportional to the torque; in other words, for the same angular velocity, the shorter the impact duration, the larger the torque generated. However, the impact duration depends on the design of the mechanism, so within a certain range of impact force, the impact duration may be treated as a constant.

Therefore, from Equation 2, T=I*α=I*dω/dt, the torque is proportional to the angular acceleration α; in the case of the impact wrench, since the angular velocity may become 0 the moment the impact takes place, so dω=ω−0=ω, and the impact duration dt may be treated as a constant C; hence T=I*α=I*dω/dt in Equation 2 may be rewritten as T=m*ω(rpm)*C.

In other words, the torque exerted by the output shaft of the impact wrench is directly proportional to the mass m and angular velocity ω (rpm) of the impact mechanism and the hammer. For an impact wrench, the mass m of the impact mechanism and the hammer thereof is a constant. Before the impact mechanism and the hammer are driven by the pneumatic motor to reach the maximum angular velocity ω (rpm), the angular velocity thereof ω (rpm) is directly proportional to the air pressure and the airflow (of the pneumatic motor).

As can be appreciated from the foregoing descriptions, the torque output of the pneumatic torque wrench is directly proportional to the working air pressure; therefore, as long as the working air pressure can be steadily maintained within a permissible range, the torque output can be controlled within a target range.

As a matter of fact, the so called torque control of the torque tool is only capable of controlling the torque output of the torque tool. Since each fastener varies in terms of its material and surface condition, so when the same torque is applied thereon, the tightening torque or clamping force achievable may differ. Consider the following: (Equation 5) T=K×D×W, where T: torque, D: the nominal diameter of the screw or bolt (mm), W: the axial force of the screw or bolt, and K: nut factor. The nut factor K is a key parameter, which is primarily attributed to the friction between the thread and the bearing surface. K=K1+K2+K3, where K1 represents the nut factor for the bearing surface of the nut or bolt, and it accounts for around 50% of the total nut factor K; K2 represents the coefficient of friction for the contact surface on the flanks of the thread, and it accounts for around 40% of the total nut factor K; K3 represents the nut factor due to the stretching of the bolt, and it accounts for around 10% of the total nut factor K.

Hence, the torque controlling method of the present invention is not just capable of controlling the output torque of the torque tool in a precise manner, and it allows the user to adjust the torque output according to the condition of fastener during the calibration as well, so as to meet the practical requirement.

Please refer to FIG. 2, which is the experimental results showing the relationship between the air pressure and the sensed strain signals according to the method of controlling torque of the present invention. The NI pulse analysis system (software NI LABVIEW Signal Express, hardware NI cDAQ-9172) is used to measure the pulses generated by the pulse torque wrench, wherein the pulse torque wrench generates the pulses under the conditions of constant air consumption, same fastening duration, as well as stable and monitored air pressure, e.g. 85 PSI (pounds per square inch); from the pulse form generated, it is apparent that the amplitude thereof has a stable height (1.3 m strain value), and the equivalent torque generated may be determined from the amplitude under that particular pressure. Then, from a pulse form generated under another lower stable pressure condition, e.g. 35 psi, a similarly stable results (650 μm strain value) can be observed as well; alternatively, in the pressure range of 35-85 psi, similarly stable amplitude (900 μm and 1.05 m strain value) may also be observed when pressures of 55 and 65 psi are separately supplied to the tool. Wherein, the Y-axis on the detection results of the NI pulse analysis system is the strain value, which is convertible to torque value. The X-axis is the impact time (the tool uses the same impact time but different pressure to fasten a fastener). Simply put, under the condition of constant air consumption and stable working air pressure, as long as the highest and lowest working air pressures supplied to the tool can be steadily maintained within a predetermined, permissible range, the highest and lowest amplitudes obtained will exhibit near-linear pressure-torque relationship, as shown in the line LS in FIG. 2.

Based on the theory and empirical data above, when the pneumatic torque tool is exerting torque to a fastener, it is shown to exhibit properties of: for the same pneumatic torque wrench, under the conditions of predetermined airflow, same fastening duration and same stable working air pressure, the torque wrench will exert similar torque to a soft or hard fastener. That is to say, as long as the pneumatic torque wrench is working in conjunction with the aforementioned torque control apparatus, and the working pressure drop (%) of the tool is monitored throughout the fastening process, such that it is maintained within a stable range, the torque output may be controlled within certain target range. Therefore, the inventor deems that, as long as the tool is under the conditions of predetermined airflow and same fastening duration, when the tool is driven separately with the highest and lowest working air pressures that can be steadily maintained to perform fastening, and the working air pressure is monitored throughout the fastening process, a near-linear correspondence curve between the pressure and torque values may be constructed according to the highest and lowest working air pressures, as well as the maximum and minimum torque values respectively corresponding to the measured highest and lowest working air pressures. A target torque value between the maximum and minimum torque values may be entered, and the microprocessor of the torque control apparatus of the present invention may compute the corresponding working air pressure based on the stored correspondence relationship between the pressure and the torque values, such that the tool may be driven to perform the fastening operation; when the predetermined time is reached, the air supply may be turned off to stop the operation of the pneumatic torque tool. Therefore, the torque output may be maintained within a predetermined and permissible range, and the poor control accuracy caused by the slow response of the tool, owing to the between the control component and the sensors, may be mitigated. However, because of various reasons, for instance, the gap between the socket and the fastener such as a bolt, the way the tool is held, and the condition of the fastener, the relationship between the torque values and the pressure values is not completely linear. In practice, the upwards or downwards shifts from the linear relationship may be treated as the marginal error of the torque control, and a satisfactory level of torque control accuracy may still be achieved after all.

Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a block diagram according to an embodiment of the torque control apparatus of the present invention. As shown in the diagram, in most embodiments, the torque control apparatus 2 of the present invention may be installed between the air pressure system 1 and the pneumatic torque tool 3. Torque control apparatus 2 may include the air intake pressure monitoring device 21, pressure adjusting device 22, solenoid valve 23, third air pressure sensor 24, memory device 28, microprocessor 25, input and output (I/O) device 26, warning device 29 and power device 20.

In particular, the air intake pressure monitoring device 21 may be a pressure regulating valve 211, which may limit the pressure supplied by the air pressure system 1 within a predetermined range of pressure (e.g. 100 psi, depending on how much each component in the control device can withstand), so as to protect the relevant components; alternatively, the air intake pressure monitoring device 21 may be the first air pressure sensor 212, when an overwhelming pressure is detected, the first air pressure sensor 212 may cause the solenoid valve 23 to turn off the air supply to the torque tool, so as to protect the relevant components, or it may cause the warning device 29 to emit a warning signal.

In particular, the pressure adjusting device 22 may be an automatic pressure adjusting device 221, which may include a proportional pressure valve 2211, a second air pressure sensor 2212, and a pressure control valve 2213. When the operator enters any target torque value T_(X) that is between the maximum and minimum torque values, the automatic pressure adjusting device 221 may automatically adjust the working air pressure to a working air pressure P_(X), which corresponds to the target torque value T_(X), according to the correspondence curve between air pressure and torque values computed by the microprocessor 25; alternatively, the pressure adjusting device 22 may be a manual pressure adjusting valve 222, and the operator may manually adjust the pressure to a working air pressure P_(X), which corresponds to the target torque value T_(X), in accordance with the pressure value displayed on the display device.

More specifically, the proportional pressure valve 2211 serves to adjust the pressure control valve 2213, by means of boosting or relieving pressure, in response to the instruction of the microprocessor and the pressure detected by the second air pressure sensor 2212, such that the air intake pressure from the air pressure system 1 to the solenoid valve 23 is adjusted through the pressure control valve 2213, and thereby achieving the purpose of automatic pressure adjustment.

The third air pressure sensor 24 is interposed between the solenoid valve 23 and the pneumatic torque tool 3, so as to detect whether the pressure supplied to the pneumatic torque tool 3 is maintained within a stable range, such that the working air pressure of the pneumatic torque tool 3 is controlled within a predetermined permissible range throughout the fastening operation. With the help of the aforementioned components, a stable, controllable air pressure may be supplied to the pneumatic torque tool 3, such that the pneumatic torque tool 3 is capable of exerting a stable and controllable torque.

Hereinafter, reference should be made to FIG. 5, which is a schematic diagram on the operation of an embodiment of the torque control apparatus of the present invention. The relevant steps of the operation are as follows:

(S41) Setting the relevant control conditions according to the characteristics of the tool, the attached socket, and the fastener to be fastened. In particular, before the fastening operation, various predetermined operating conditions, e.g. the amount of airflow, the duration for the fastening operation, a ratio of pressure drop of the air pressure system compared to the highest working air pressure, a ratio of actual working air pressure compared to a pressure at which the pneumatic tool is running at free speed, a permissible range of variation of the actual working air pressure when the fastening is completed, and the range determining whether a target torque value is met, may be set to suit the conditions of the tool, the fastener, and the object to be fastened.

(S42) Driving the pneumatic torque tool 3 with the highest working air pressure, and measuring the maximum torque value using torque measuring device. For instance, the “T_(H) setting button” (not illustrated in the drawings) on the I/O device 26 may be pressed. On this occasion, the microprocessor 25 may control the pressure adjusting device 22 to automatically adjust the pressure to the highest level that can be steadily maintained; when the warning device 29 shows that the adjustment is completed, the pneumatic torque tool 3 may be initiated to drive the socket, so as to perform the torque calibration; the microprocessor 25 may drive the pneumatic torque tool 3 at the highest working air pressure P_(H). Meanwhile, air pressure of the tool at the beginning and the end of the calibration, along with the measured torque values, which may serve as the maximum torque value T_(H), may be stored in the memory device 28.

(S43) Driving the pneumatic torque tool 3 with the lowest working air pressure, and measuring the minimum torque value using torque measuring device. For instance, the “T_(L) setting button” (not illustrated in the drawings) on the I/O device 26 can be pressed. On this occasion, the microprocessor 25 may control the pressure adjusting device 22 to automatically adjust the pressure to the predetermined lowest pressure; when the warning device 29 shows that the adjustment is completed, the pneumatic torque tool 3 may be initiated to drive the socket, so as to perform the torque calibration; the microprocessor 25 may drive the pneumatic torque tool 3 at the lowest working air pressure P_(L). Meanwhile, air pressure of the tool measured at the beginning and the end of the calibration, along with the measured torque values, which may serve as the minimum torque value T_(L), may be stored in the memory device 28.

(S44) Constructing the correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque values. Since the memory device 28 has already stored the aforementioned highest working air pressure P_(H) and lowest working air pressure P_(L), as well as the maximum torque value T_(H) corresponding to the highest working air pressures P_(H) and the minimum torque value T_(L) corresponding to the lowest working air pressure P_(L), the microprocessor 25 is capable of constructing a correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque value that is nearly linear.

(S45) Entering the target torque value, in order to perform the actual fastening operation. In other words, the target torque value T_(X), which is between the maximum torque value T_(H) and the minimum torque value T_(L), is entered; in accordance with the stored correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque values, the microprocessor 25 of the torque control apparatus 2 may instantly compute the corresponding working air pressure, which may be displayed on the display device 27 and the warning device 29; the pressure may be adjusted to the level of the working air pressure P_(X), which corresponds to the target torque value T_(X), by means of the manual pressure adjusting valve 222 controlled by the operator or the automatic pressure adjusting device 221 controlled by the microprocessor 25. Please refer to FIG. 3. Therefore, the pneumatic torque tool 3 may be driven to perform the fastening operation, and when the predetermined time is reached, the microprocessor 25 may control the solenoid valve 23 to shut off the air supply, such that the tool is stopped and the fastening operation for the fastener is completed.

It is noteworthy that, in Steps (S42) and (S43), the maximum and minimum torque values T_(H) and T_(L) may be measured using the torque measuring device 4. For instance, the torque measuring device 4 may be a torque calibration tool that is commonly used in the art, such as a torque wrench with digital display or a torque meter; the torque measuring device 4 may also be a built-in or external torque transducer that is attached to the torque output end of the pneumatic torque tool 3, and the torque transducer may transmit the detected signal to the torque control apparatus 2 via wired or wireless transmission. The Steps (S42) and (S43) may be repeated to obtain a plurality of maximum torque values T_(H) and minimum torque values T_(L), as well as the corresponding highest working air pressure P_(H) and lowest working air pressure values P_(L); under the circumstances, the microprocessor 25 may sum the values of each of the variables and calculate its average, such that the correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque values may be constructed using the averaged maximum torque value T_(H), minimum torque value T_(L), highest working air pressure P_(H) and lowest working air pressure P_(L); consequently, a more accurate correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque value may be obtained.

Hereinafter, reference should be made to FIG. 6, which is a diagram showing the adjustment of the correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque value according to an embodiment of the torque control apparatus of the present invention. The operator may use a torque calibration tool that he or she trusts or is familiar with to verify the torque after the fastening operation; if the measured torque from the verification is found to be differ from the target torque value T_(X) by a large margin, the “correction button” (not illustrated) of the I/O device 26 may be pressed and the torque value from the verification may be entered, and the correction may be stored in the memory device 28; according to the corrected torque value T_(X1), the microprocessor 25 may automatically adjust the correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque value L_(S) (the adjusted correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque value is L_(M)), and the new range of torque that is controllable (the range of torque between the adjusted maximum and minimum torque values T_(H)′ and T_(L)′) is displayed. In simple words, when the corrected torque value T_(X1) that is entered is less than the target torque value T_(X), the correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque values may be downwards corrected (as shown in FIG. 6(a)). When the corrected torque value T_(X1) that is entered is more than the target torque value T_(X), the correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque values may be upwards corrected (as shown in FIG. 6(b)). When the target torque value is re-entered, a new corresponding working air pressure P_(X1) may be obtained from the corrected correspondence curve L_(M). The pneumatic torque tool 3 may be driven by the new working air pressure P_(X1) to perform fastening, and then a verification may be performed whenever necessary, to ensure that the target torque value is met.

It is noteworthy that, during the fastening, when the detected air pressure exceeds the predetermined permissible range of variation, the torque control apparatus 2 may, in real-time, signal warning via the warning device 29 or control the solenoid valve 23 to shut off the air supply; when the air pressure returns to a range that is stable, the fastening operation may be resumed. In addition, the setting of the permissible range of variation may affect the precision of the torque during the fastening operation. In short, the larger the permissible range of variation, the poorer the torque control accuracy.

Reference should be made to FIG. 7, which is another block diagram according to an embodiment of the torque control apparatus of the present invention. As shown in the diagram, for the sake of the practical usage or cost consideration, the torque control apparatus 2 of the present invention may come without the aforementioned air intake pressure monitoring device 21, and the manual pressure adjusting valve 222 may be disposed in the pressure adjusting device 22, and the third air pressure sensor 24 may be disposed between the solenoid valve 23 and pneumatic torque tool 3. For instance, according to the stored correspondence curve between the air pressure and the torque values, the microprocessor 25 may compute the working air pressure, which corresponds to the entered target torque value. According to the information on display device 27, the operator may manually adjust the air pressure using the manual pressure adjusting valve (Regulator) 222; when the adjustment is completed, the warning device 29 may notify the operator to proceed with fastening operation with light or sound.

Furthermore, experimental results show that, throughout the fastening operation, the pressure drop detected by each pressure sensor when a tool is running at free speed may differ significantly from that when a tool is actually fastening a fastener, because it consumes air at different rates. In other words, the pressure drop when the tool is running at free speed is larger than the pressure drop when the tool is running with load by a certain margin. Therefore, before the calibration of the maximum or minimum torque, the microprocessor 25 may drive the pneumatic torque tool 3 (the socket is not driven to perform fastening at this moment) for a while and then automatically stop the tool; the before-and-after pressure drop measured when the tool is driven in such a way, as long as the before-and-after pressure drop measured when calibrating the maximum or minimum torque are stored; during fastening operation, these data, which serve to provide accurate diagnosis and statistics, may be used to determine whether the tool is running at free speed (no load) or actually fastening.

In conclusion, the inventor has achieved a breakthrough over the conventional torque tool industry. The structural and assembly precision of the tool does not necessarily affect the torque control thereof. The conventional method of adjusting the amount of airflow through the tool and controlling the impact duration, or simple pressure control, all fail to achieve satisfactory results. In particular, for the impact or pulse torque tools, even if they are disposed with a torque transducer, it is hard to measure the torque due to the unstable signals generated from the impact pulses; on top of that, for various fasteners and objects to be fastened, various problems such as the material, hardness, surface smoothness, and the surface condition of the thread, all affect the precision of the tightening torque or the clamping force, and the impact of these factors significantly outweighs the quality or precision requirement of the tool itself.

The major feature of the present invention is that the relationship between the pulse signals of the impact or pulse torque tool and the torque thereof is sufficiently realized, and the pulse signals detection technique is mastered to eliminate the interference during the relay of signals is eliminated; therefore, prior to the fastening operation, according to the characteristics of the fastener and the object to be fastened that are to be used during the fastening, the torque control apparatus is used to perform calibration beforehand, and take advantage of the highest and lowest working air pressures and their corresponding maximum and minimum torque values that allow the tool to operate properly, the correspondence curve is constructed. Then, between the maximum and minimum torque values, any target torque value may be entered; the microprocessor may indicate the working air pressure corresponding to the target torque value via the display device; when the air pressure is properly adjusted by the operator using the manual pressure adjusting valve or by the microprocessor instructing the automatic pressure adjusting device, a light may be turned on to indicate that the fastening operation with controllable torque may be proceeded. Even if the tool is disposed with a torque transducer, the microprocessor only treats the detection signals transmitted thereto as the parameters for the torque calibration. From the correspondence curve between the working air pressure and the torque output constructed beforehand, the pressure required to meet the target torque value may be identified and then be used to drive the tool; throughout the fastening operation, the predetermined operating and control conditions are used to monitor the pressure drop and whether the pressure upon the completion of fastening is within the permissible range of variation, thereby achieving the purpose of torque control. In practice, the torque transducer only serves the calibration purpose before the actual fastening operation. The torque transducer is not necessary to be disposed externally or internally in the tool, and this not only prolongs the lifespan of the torque transducer, it reduces the high maintenance cost of the electronic control components by a great amount. Besides, the additional torque transducer, which is expensive, is no longer required, so the problem of impact or pulse torque tool being incapable of controlling the torque output can be solved once and for all.

The present invention provides a method of controlling torque and a torque control system using the method, and any pneumatic torque tool employing the technical features defined by the present invention is capable of achieving precise torque control. The inventive concept of the method of controlling torque and the torque control apparatus of the present invention is: throughout the fastening operation, a stable working air pressure may be maintained, and any desired target torque value may be entered, as long as the target torque value is between the maximum and minimum torque values, which respectively correspond to the maximum and minimum working air pressures, wherein the range of the maximum and minimum torque values as well as the maximum and minimum working air pressures that allow the tool to operate properly are obtained through the calibration prior to the fastening operation; the microprocessor may show the corresponding working air pressure, and the correct pressure may be reached by means of manual or automatic pressure adjustment, and the tool is driven by that pressure to perform fastening operation. For the precision of the torque output, the “permissible range of variation of the working air pressure” may be adjusted to meet the required precision; in addition, the user is allowed to correct the aforementioned correspondence curve between air pressure and torque values on his own according to the actual torque value after verification to perform the fastening operation with torque control.

When the method of controlling torque and the torque control apparatus of the present invention is adapted to torque testing equipment, the dispute over the test results may be effectively resolved as well. For conventional torque testing equipment, during testing, there is no connection between the air supply piping of the pneumatic torque tool and the torque meter; in other words, when the torque meter is a conventional hydraulic one and the oil pressure gauge shows that the hydraulic pressure is insufficient, the operator may obtain the torque value from the hydraulic pressure-torque chart; when the torque meter is a digital one with torque detection component, a display device is electrically connected to the torque meter to show the measured torque value. However, the unstable air supply from the air pressure system tends to have its impact on the torque output test results of the tool undergoing the test. The torque control system of the present invention is capable of solving the issue. Using the torque control apparatus of the present invention, the air supply of the tool to be tested may be monitored throughout the whole duration of the testing, such that the pressure variation thereof is monitored and maintained within a predetermined allowable condition. With the apparatus, the initial and final air pressure signals from the air pressure sensors and the torque signals due to the deformation of the torque testing component may be obtained at the same time. Therefore, the test results may be presented in an accurate manner, and controversy may be avoided.

The content hereinbefore serves only illustrative purpose and does not limit the scope of the scope of the invention. Any modification or adaptation that does not go beyond the spirit or scope of the present invention should fall within the scope of the claims hereinafter. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A torque control apparatus, connected between an air supply system and a pneumatic torque tool, comprising: an air intake pressure monitoring device, disposed with a pressure regulating valve or a first air pressure sensor, wherein when the air intake pressure monitoring device is disposed with the pressure regulating valve, an air pressure from the air supply system to the torque control apparatus is controlled, and when the air monitoring device is disposed with the first air pressure sensor, a warning is signaled when an air intake pressure exceeds a pressure upper limit of the torque control apparatus, so as to protect components in the torque control apparatus and the pneumatic torque tool; a pressure adjusting device disposed with an automatic pressure adjusting device or a manual pressure adjusting valve, the pressure adjusting device being configured to control a working air pressure supplied to the pneumatic torque tool according to characteristics of the tool, a fastener to be fastened and predetermined operating conditions; a solenoid valve configured to turn on or cut off the air supply to the pneumatic torque tool; a third air pressure sensor disposed between the solenoid valve and the pneumatic torque tool, the third air pressure sensor being configured to monitor the working air pressure throughout a fastening operation; a memory device configured to store a first torque value, a second torque value, a first working air pressure, a second working air pressure different from the first working air pressure, and the predetermined operating conditions, wherein the first torque value and the second torque value are individually obtained from calibration with the first working air pressure and the second working air pressure, the first working air pressure and the second working air pressure being within a range of working air pressure that allows the pneumatic torque tool to perform the fastening operation, wherein the predetermined operating conditions comprises airflow of the tool, duration of tightening, a ratio of pressure drop of the air pressure system to the first working air pressure, a ratio of actual working air pressure to a pressure at which the pneumatic tool is running at free speed, a predetermined range of variation of the actual working air pressure when the fastening is completed, and a tolerance for a target torque value; and a microprocessor configured to construct a correspondence relationship between air pressure and torque values according to the first working air pressure, the second working air pressure, the first torque value, and the second torque value, which are obtained from calibration performed by the pneumatic torque tool on a fastener and an object to be fastened with same specifications and of same type as will be used in an actual fastening operation prior to the actual fastening operation, wherein while performing the actual fastening operation, from the correspondence relationship between air pressure and torque values, the microprocessor is configured to obtain a working air pressure corresponding to an entered target torque value that is between the first torque value and the second torque value, wherein the pressure adjusting device adjusts the working air pressure to the obtained working air pressure and the pneumatic torque tool is driven by the obtained working air pressure, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to monitor an air pressure variation throughout the fastening operation based on the predetermined operating conditions and information or warnings of operation status are displayed on a display device coupled to the microprocessor in real time, and wherein when the predetermined duration of tightening is reached, the solenoid valve is controlled by the microprocessor to cut off the air supply.
 2. The torque control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the automatic pressure adjusting device of the pressure adjusting device further comprises a second air pressure sensor interposed between a proportional pressure valve and a pressure control valve, the second air pressure sensor is configured to provide the measured air pressure to the microprocessor in real time, and when the target torque value is entered by an operator, according to the corresponding working air pressure obtained from calculation, the proportional pressure valve is instructed to adjust an output air pressure of the pressure control valve to the working air pressure, so that an automatic pressure control is achieved.
 3. The torque control apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the pressure adjusting device is a manual pressure adjusting valve and the target torque value is entered, according to the corresponding working air pressure displayed on the display device, the air pressure is adjusted manually to the working air pressure for the fastening operation.
 4. The torque control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is configured to correct and adjust the correspondence relationship between air pressure and torque values according to an entered corrected torque value, when the target torque value is reentered, a new corresponding working air pressure is displayed according to the adjusted correspondence relationship between air pressure and torque values, and the pneumatic torque tool is driven by the new corresponding working air pressure to perform the fastening operation. 